September 16, 2014 Featuring in a new long-term series Whole of Community Change Annalise Jennings Director Dynamic Exchange and Ms. Maryann Coconut Elder and Representative, Napranum Aboriginal Shire Council and Bo Wagata Former Deputy Mayor of Napranum.

Annalise as the director of Dynamic Exchange has over 25 years experience in senior roles in financial services and other sectors including property and small business. Annalise is an experienced facilitator and has led business transformation in project management in large organisations and has an extensive background in risk management and organisational culture. This experience has been gained through working in India, Australia & New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

Annalise has spoken on transformation and maximising human potential in a variety of business and community forums.

Annalise is passionate about teams and helping them discover healthy working relationships and celebrating success and empowerment. Annalise balances her time between key corporate engagements, her part-time career as an alternative health practitioner and has always combined her working life with parenting and study. She strongly believes in human potential and is a passionate advocate of ethical corporate and individual behaviour in the business community.

Annalise’s qualifications include a post-graduate diploma in project management. She is affiliated with the Risk Management Association of Australia and is a member of the International Association of Counsellors and Therapists.

Dynamic Exchange is the trusted partner in business and community transformation. Our mission is to support individuals, teams and communities to reach their fullest potential through discovering healthy working relationships and celebrating success and empowerment.

We believe in human potential and we are passionate advocates of ethical, corporate and individual behaviour in communities and in business.

Dynamic Exchange helps individuals and communities to:

Balance financial security

Build harmonious relationships

Build a sense of self-worth through a positive self-image

Set the agenda for change and maturity through a mindset of accountability and ownership

Develop a sense of community spirit through shared vision and an infrastructure that supports future growth

Build alliances with others by sharing solutions and partnering for joint projects

Build a legacy for future generations. Be recognised as market leaders

Napranum

Napranum (meaning meeting place of the people) was the site of Weipa Presbyterian Mission from 1932 to 1965. Before 1932, the original Weipa Mission was situated near Spring Creek on the upper northern reaches of the Embley River. On 1 February 1966, the church handed over control to the Queensland Government and the mission became known as Weipa South settlement. During the late 1960s the name Napranum was increasingly used by the community.

At least twelve traditional owner groups occupied the surrounding lands, however there are families living at Napranum today whose links extend to Mapoon in the north and Aurukun in the south. For example, the Thaynakwith people who have traditional links to the Andoom and Pine River area settled at both Mapoon and Weipa during the missionary period.

Additionally some people from as far away as the Ducie River and near Moreton and Mein telegraph stations came in to live at Weipa in the early 1900s. In his annual report for 1901, the Northern Protector of Aboriginals, W.E. Roth, wrote that the ‘sphere of influence of the Weipa Mission which I visited last May is gradually though slowly extending, blacks coming in now not only from Pera Head, and the upper reaches of the Batavia and Ducie Rivers, but also (a few) from the mouth of the Archer, from the Moreton [telegraph station], and from the area intermediate between Coen and Mein’.

During the 1960s people from other Aboriginal communities and the Torres Strait Islands settled at Napranum in search of work. Today about 1000 people live at Napranum.

Napranum Aboriginal Shire Council

Napranum Aboriginal Shire Council is the local authority for the Napranum community and Napranum Deed of Grant in Trust (DOGIT) lands. Its Mayor and Councillors are elected every four years. Community administration is provided by Council staff led by a Chief Executive Officer. The Council is the trustee for the Napranum DOGIT lands.

Napranum residents are employed in a wide range of community work, land and sea management, local contracting firms and mining operations.

Maryann Coconut: Community Elder and Traditional Owner. Chairperson of the Indigenous Justice Group

As Councillor of the Napranum Aboriginal community, Maryann’s responsibilities include education and social services. Maryann believes education is essential to community progress. She has led the way completing a Bachelor of Community Management at Maquarie University NS.

Maryann also believes we, the people are the Caretakers of this Land; given to us by the Creator Spirit who is the Creator. We acknowledge Him with adoration and thanksgiving. We the Elders are the Gate Keepers. This is an age-old role given to us by our Ancestors. Our knowledge and wisdom of our country is still strong; and will remain invisible and well guarded in our spirit till we die. Our spirit will pass this knowledge on to the next Elder in line.